STAGG, EVELYN OWEN, 96, died peacefully Monday, February 28, 2011 at the Episcopal Church Home in Louisville.
She was born in Ruston, LA in 1914, the daughter of W.T. and Myrtie Matthews Owen. She was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, William, Henry and James Owen.
Evelyn graduated from Louisiana College in 1934. The following year she married Frank Stagg and began a 66-year partnership in study, writing, speaking engagements and ministries in various churches, seminaries and colleges throughout the United States, Europe and South America. From 1935-38, while Frank was enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Evelyn took the same classes and sat for all the exams, although the seminary did not grant degrees to women. She performed so well that she was asked to grade the papers of the beginning students in New Testament Greek. Years later, Mercer University awarded her an honorary degree in recognition for that early scholastic achievement and a lifetime of shared ministry.
In 1978, Evelyn coauthored with Frank Stagg Woman in the World of Jesus. She was the first reader and unofficial editor for dozens of journal articles and 10 books by Frank. Evelyn taught in the public schools of New Orleans, LA and served as a reader for the Publishing House for the Blind, Louisville. She was a founding member of Women in Ministry, a group created to help women ordained for the pastorate. She was a member of Crescent Hill Baptist Church.
Evelyn is survived by her three children, Ted Stagg, of Anchorage, AK, Bob Stagg (Stephanie), of Louisville and Ginger Shane (Larry), of Cleveland, OH; six grandchildren, Robert Prescott Stagg (Jane), Thomas Allen Stagg (Christian), Matthew Owen Shane, Lydia Delaney Shane Centofanti (James), Stacie Nielsen and Jamie Patrick (Mark); and three great-grandchildren, Opal Evelyn Stagg, Richard Vincent Patrick and Jake Walter Foster.
Evelyn donated her body to the University of Louisville School of Medicine. A memorial service will be held at a future date.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hosparus of Louisville or Doctors without Borders.
The family wishes to thank the employees of the Episcopal Church Home and Hosparus for their loving care during the two months of Evelyn's residence there.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I knew Mrs. Stagg as a teenager and spent many an hour visiting in the Stagg home. She was always gracious and kind to me and I have nothing but warm memories of her. She was the first person who ever gave me coffee with chickory, which I remember thinking was very exotic. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Ronald Meisburg
March 5, 2011
I will always remember the Regal & Loving Spirit which Evelyn radiated when I had the great honor of being in her presence.
She was a most special women & gift to many in this world.I consider having met her a special blessing from God.
She demonstrated by the fullness of her life what it is to be "Fully Human" by using all the gifts God created in her to her fullest potential.
With sincere Love & Peace to you Ginger & your Family
Tom & Gail Nemeth
Tom & Gail Nemeth
March 4, 2011
Evelyn was a truly wonderful woman, and I count it a privilege to have known her. Like so many others, my life is the better for it. To the family, my heartfelt condolences.
Sharon Potts Carroll
March 3, 2011
She was an extraordinary, gracious woman full of wisdom, warmth and love. She will be missed by many.
Lester Shane
March 2, 2011
I feel so honored to have met Evelyn a couple of times and to have written letters back and forth with her. She was an amazing, kind, and loving woman. I will sincerely miss her.
Lindsey Charna
March 2, 2011
I feel so honored to have met Evelyn a couple of times and to have written letters back and forth with her. She was an amazing
Lindsey Charna
March 2, 2011
Who could find a more gracious, loving, intelligent woman than Evelyn Stagg ? From visiting regularly in their home as a teenager fifty seven years ago to more recent visits to her Louisville home, I have always found a warm reception. She was a beacon to call for women to be recognized for what they have to offer. In her gentle way she exhibited through her life the joy she found in being a good wife, mother, and her own gifted person. We will miss her !!
To Ted, Bob, and Ginger, we share your grief but thank God for the wonderful mother you had.
Tim Townsend
March 2, 2011
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